B-cell differentiating peptides

Abstract

Synthetic peptides which possess the ability to specifically induce the differentiation of precursor B cells into mature B-cells capable of producing antibody.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A peptide of formula R-HIS-GLY-NH 2  and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition salts thereof, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of desamino LYS, formyl-LYS, and loweralkanoyl-LYS. 
     
     
       2. A method of inducing the selective differentiation of precursor B cells into mature B cells which comprises contacting said precursor B cells with an effective differentiation-inducing amount of a peptide of claim 1. 
     
     
       3. A method of treating B cell deficiency resulting from a defect or deficiency in the differentiation of precursor B cells into mature B cells in a patient suffering from same which comprises administering to said patient an effective precursor B cell differentiating amount of a peptide of claim 1. 
     
     
       4. A therapeutic composition comprising an effective precursor B cell differentiating amount of a peptide of claim 1 in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       5. The composition of claim 4 which is adapted for parenteral administration. 
     
     
       6. A peptide of formula desamino-LYS-HIS-GLY-NH 2  and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof. 
     
     
       7. A peptide of formula loweralkanoyl-LYS-HIS-GLY-NH 2  and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof. 
     
     
       8. The peptide of claim 7 that is acetyl-LYS-HIS-GLY-NH 2 .